We Remember
DUHAMEL, Daryl Joan
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Daryl Joan Duhamel, born in Winnipeg in 1932, passed away on June 21, 2020, in Port Alberni, BC. Daryl was a beloved wife (Leo), mother (Kirk, Rock, Lee, and daughter-in-law Kim), grandmother (Bryce, Cori, Avery, and Jesse), great-grandmother (Kaleb, Elijah, Lily, and Isabella), sister (Don, Rickey, and Brian), and aunt (Stephanie, Katy, Keith, and Robin). She was also loved by so, so many friends.
Daryl lived a full life. She exercised racehorses on the track in her teens, worked as a window display artist and florist (she did the flowers for the Queen’s visit to Edmonton in 1951), all while building her family and homes. She threw elegant but fun dinner parties for her friends and Leo’s business associates. She landscaped and built walls and corrals, and travelled much of the world with Leo. But what truly defined Daryl was her art. She was a renowned painter and sculptor, with her work held in corporate and private collections throughout Canada, the US and Europe. Working in oil for her paintings, she worked with clay and later porcelain for her detailed sculptures. The focus of her work was based on her fascination and respect for the culture and history of the First Nations. While not being indigenous herself, she was very proud of the fact that she was accepted and respected by the indigenous artist community in BC and elsewhere.
While Daryl moved to Port Alberni to be close to her daughter in her last years, most of her adult life and all of her heart was in Kelowna. Daryl was a devout Christian, and as part of her love for giving, she spent her last few years of Christmas Holidays in West Kelowna organizing and hosting Christmas Dinners for anyone and everyone who would otherwise be alone on that day. Now that we are allowed to gather, it is time to celebrate this amazing woman’s life.
Celebration of Life
August 19, 2022
Internment: Kelowna Memorial Cemetery, 11:00 am
Celebration: Springfield Funeral Home, 12:30 pm –If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
Wake: Whiski-Jacks Pub, 3:00 pm to whenever
Flowers are very welcome.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Livestream:
Service
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022, at 12:30 PM
Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
We fondly remember Daryl as a warm and creative person. She was amazingly artistic with everything she created.
Daryl and Leo were also wonderful travelling companions and we had a lot of fun together, great memories.
With heartfelt condolences from all our family., RJ and Lois Bennett.
My Aunt Daryl was a wonderful inspiration to me as of her open door policy and phenomenal aspirations towards art and faith in Christ. We had many long talks and exchanges on so many different topics.. She always had the best advise and her political mind was sharp as a tack. Aunt Daryl had a huge heart for helping the community and Church participation and was always engaging tough topics for consideration. , I miss being able to visit with her and discuss scriptural illumination and hearing her life stories which were always fascinating.. Fortunately we have a lot of her art work to bear testimony to her dedication love and light so as to not forget such a talented and faith humble servant of Christ!